Jadeite

Jadeite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: July 2023
Jadeite Polished Jadeite Rough Jadeite Jewelry

Jadeite Jade is more valuable than nephrite jade. Jadeite is a member of the pyroxene group. Jadeite Jade is primarily composed of the mineral jadeite, but it typically contains other minerals like kosmochlor, omphacite, albite and analcime which would classify it as a rock. Jadeite has been carved into a wide array of ornamental and decorative objects. Jadeite jade is highly prized in Asian culture. In ancient China it was worn exclusively by the nobility but today it is worn to ward off bad luck and promote good health and fortune.

General Information

Common Name
Jadeite
Species
Jadeite
Transparency
Semitransparent - Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: None
Refractive Index
1.654-1.693 Tolerance: (+0.008/-0.008)
Birefringence
0.013- 20.000
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Variable
LWUV: Variable
CCF Reaction
Red if dyed; Green untreated
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
6.5-7
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
3.250-3.400 Typical:3.340
Toughness
Excellent
Inclusions
Jadeite is made up tightly packed crystals and you might see the crystals sparkle on areas that have not been polished on larger-grained items. Stone often are unevenly colored with root like mottling. If the item is dyed it might be possible to see dye concentrations. Dyed jadeite is usually unevenly colored but sometimes you might be able to see dye concentrations under magnification. You might observe the orange peel effect on older pieces due to differential hardness of the stone. The use of modern polishing compounds has all but eliminated the orange peel problem.
Luster
Vitreous, Greasy
Stability
Good
Fracture
Splintery, Granular, Subconchodial, Uneven
Cleavage
None
Chemical Name
sodium aluminum silicate
Chemical Formula
Na(Al, Fe) Si2O6
Crystal System
Monoclinic
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Jadeite Colors

  • Bi-color Jadeite
    Bi-color
  • Black Jadeite
    Black
  • Blue Jadeite
    Blue
  • Brown Jadeite
    Brown
  • Gray Jadeite
    Gray
  • Green Jadeite
    Green
  • Orange Jadeite
    Orange
  • Pink Jadeite
    Pink
  • Purple Jadeite
    Purple
  • Red Jadeite
    Red
  • White Jadeite
    White
  • Yellow Jadeite
    Yellow

Jadeite Spectra

Jadeite Spectra
GREEN JADEITE

Color due to iron and chromium. An intense light source is necessary to transmit sufficient light through most jadeite specimens unless they are fairly thin sections. There is a strong absorption line at 437nm. due to iron with the narrower one alongside at 433nm. The remainder of the spectrum is freely transmitted except for the strong narrow band centered at 691nm. due to chromium

We acknowledge the significant scientific contributions of John S Harris, FGA to the study of gemstone spectra and with deep appreciation to him, acknowledges the use of his images and related notes about gemstones and their spectra in the educational materials on this website.

Alternate Names

Jade

Countries of Origin

Myanmar; Russian Federation; United States of America; Kazakhstan; Oman; Greece; Unknown; China; Brazil; Guatemala; Poland; Slovakia; France; Colombia; Japan; Uzbekistan; Switzerland; India; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Spain; Canada; Cuba; Turkey; Norway; Dominican Republic; Italy; Mexico; Antarctica; Germany; Indonesia

Care

Normal care is fine for untreated material. Treated material avoid strong light, heat, chemicals, and ultrasonic cleaners.

Species/Variety

Maw-Sit-Sit

Maw-sit-sit is a rock composed primarily of kosmochlor with varying combinations and amounts of other minerals. Due to its close resemblance to jade, it was believed to be a variety of jade up until the 1960s. This gem is opaque saturated green with dark green to black veining or mottling.

Maw-Sit-Sit Jadeite
Maw-Sit-Sit Jadeite
Common Name
Maw-Sit-Sit
Specific Gravity
2.460
Toughness
Good

Enhancement

Type "B" Jade Bleached and Stabilized

The term, "type-B jade," refers to the enhancement that a jadeite jade gem has undergone. In This case, the jadeite has been bleached to remove unattractive brown staining, then stabilized with polymer resin. Untreated jadeite, that may or not have had wax applied to its surface, is called, "type-A."

Type
Type "B" Jade Bleached and Stabilized Jadeite
Common Name
Type "B" Jade Bleached and Stabilized
Specific Gravity
3.25
Toughness
Good
Inclusions
Type B jadeite has been bleached in acid to remove staining and then it has been impregnated with wax or polymers. It will show etch boundaries between the individual crystal grains.Advanced lab testing is usually required to detect polymer impregnation. 1.666 1.680 False (+0.008/-0.008) 1.666-1.68
Tolerance:(+0.008/-0.008) Appearance, RI, spectrum, SG and magnification.

Type-C Jade

The term, "type-C jade," refers to the enhancement that a jadeite jade gem has undergone. In This case, the jadeite has been bleached to remove unattractive brown staining, then stabilized with polymer resin, and finally dyed to improve or change its color.

Type-C Jade Jadeite
Type-C Jade Jadeite
Common Name
Type-C Jade
Refractive Index
1.666-1.68
Tolerance:(+0.008/-0.008)
Pleochroism
Unobservable
Specific Gravity
3.25
Toughness
Good
Inclusions
Dyed jadeite is usually unevenly colored but sometimes you might be able to see dye concentrations under magnification. Type C jadeite has been bleached with acid to remove staining then dyed and often been impregnated with wax or polymers. Hopefully the dye is apparent in surface reaching cracks. Be careful not to confuse this with the color streaks in natural jadeite. It will show etch boundaries between the individual crystal grains.Advanced lab testing is usually required to detect polymer impregnation.